koh samui It is one of the most famous islands in the world. It is known as a pampering place, for travelers with a slightly more open budget than others, who come to have a great time The spectacular beaches, stay In luxurious hotels, indulge yourself with rich cocktails, meals full of all the goodness, massages, dives and what the islands in Thailand have to offer - but at a slightly higher level.
But if you are traveling in Kosmoy, you should know that you don't have to spend the whole day on the beach. Kosmoi has a lot more to offer, such as a jeep safari in the jungles of the island.
Such a trip goes out in the field under the management of one of the many tourist companies on the island and each of them offers more or less similar attractions, which can be experienced during a day trip full of experiences, on well-maintained jeeps in the less touristed areas of the island.
Jeep safaris in Kosmoi - types of packages
You can find a trip package that offers the basics - A trip to the waterfalls, lunch on top of a mountain with a crazy view, the magical garden of Buddha, and the traditional rubber plantation, or a slightly more expensive tour package, which also includes a visit to the Wat Konaram site, where you can see the famous mummified monk of the island, sitting in a meditation position inside a glass cabinet.
There are also safari trips that include riding elephants, watching elephant shows as well as petting sleeping tigers due to a large amount of anesthetics they receive, to allow the many tourists to take pictures with them safely. Happily, these are decreasing, due to the growing awareness of the harsh conditions in which these animals are kept for entertainment purposes and also due to the fact that the process of taming elephants and tigers involves great cruelty.
Instead of all these, many tourists choose to take one of the many "ecological trips" offered on the island. These do not include participation in shows and trips, which involve cruelty to animals, but serve you the wonderful nature of the island at its best, along with an interesting introduction to various traditions of the island, during long hours of challenging and lively entertainment.
Who is suitable for a day trip experience - a safari in the jungles of Kosmoi?
The purpose of the trip is to go through the more special and traditional areas of the island, to meet the spectacular nature in its beauty and spend a few hours of a particularly stormy experience.
During a large part of the trip, the travelers sit on the roof of the jeep, which travels on unpaved areas of the island and jumps frantically, so this type of trip is of course only suitable for healthy people. This is a trip Which is not Suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems and small children. Children must be accompanied by adults, of course, the passengers must be healthy and in relatively good physical condition.
Jeep safari in Kosmoi - sample schedule
As mentioned, safari trips in Kosmoi can be varied, depending on the type of package you decide to take and depending on the company that leads the trip, but there is a fairly fixed route, which almost all companies on the island stick to:
The beginning of the trip
Pick up from the hotel
One of the things that almost all companies adhere to is collection from hotels, guest houses, guesthouses, etc. In the morning, not too early, the tour company's vehicle arrives at the hotel entrance and picks up the participants in the trip. The pick-up round is not expected to be too long, as the number of participants in one such trip usually ranges from 6 to 20 participants.
Light refreshments and water are already waiting for you in the 4x4 vehicle where you will stay for a significant part of the trip, so you don't need to bring anything with you except comfortable clothes, a change of clothes and a good mood.
Visit waterfalls and wade in a natural pool
The exciting day begins with a short introductory meeting with the guide and the other participants, after which we drive to the first point of the tour. In our case, the falls.
Many companies take the travelers to the big and well-known waterfalls on the island, which are also the busiest waterfalls with visitors, but some companies take the travelers to less-touristed waterfalls on the island, after all, the trip is done in an SUV, so there is no problem getting almost everywhere. It is worth checking with the company you have chosen.
The island of Kosmoi is blessed with a large number of beautiful and natural waterfalls, which pour into beautiful pools, surrounded by natural vegetation and there is no better way to start a day of hiking in the wild nature of Kosmoi.
Second stop - a Thai meal on top of the mountain
Driving from the falls to the second stopping point on the trip is lined with spectacular views of lush orchards, wild forests and rural mountain farms.
The beautiful road leads to the top of a mountain, where there is a restaurant with a spectacular view for a traditional Thai lunch, although quite touristy, for the adventurous vacationers.
Third stop - Buddha's magic garden
One of the magical sites of the island, which is becoming better known and more visited over the years, is the Magic Garden of Buddha (Secret Buddha Garden). The mystical garden is located deep within the forests, on hills covered with tropical vegetation, andDecorated with a collection of over 100 life-size Buddha statues, standing in various positions within the forest. The garden was established in the seventies by a local farmer and can only be reached by SUV.
The place also has a small restaurant and a souvenir shop and is considered a popular location for photographs.
The big Buddha statue
In the north of the island there is a Buddhist temple called Phra Yai, which also houses the largest Buddha statue on the island, which reaches a height of over 17 meters. It serves as a religious hub and is also a sought-after site for tourists who want to take a picture with the giant statue. The statue is surrounded by beautiful small meditation huts and in the temple area there is a small and colorful market, where religious souvenirs, various tourist products and more are sold.
Fourth stop - Grandfather and Grandmother rocks
Grandfather's Grandmother's Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai) are an amusing and unique attraction, which includes a visit to a complex of natural rocks, among which are rocks in the shape of male and female genitalia, prominent and strange looking.
The lore of the island includes a story about a couple in love who went on a romantic cruise in stormy weather, until their ship sank at sea. These rocks were formed after their bodies were washed ashore.
The crowds of tourists who come to witness the special sight have turned the road to the rocks into a tourist route, lined with food stalls and souvenirs.
Fifth station - Wat Konaram
Wat Khunaram is the name of an active Buddhist temple on the island, most famous for a monk named Leung Purgang, who excelled in his miraculous meditation teachings and attracted a following of disciples/fans. The monk died in 1973 and requested that his body be embalmed. His embalmed body is on display in a glass case located in the temple, as a permanent reminder of the transience of human existence and also attracts many tourists who come to witness the intriguing sight.
Jeep safari in Kosmoi - a slightly different experience
A jeep safari is indeed a somewhat different experience from the usual visit to the Thai islands, perhaps combining experiences that are slightly reminiscent of the nature and folklore tours in northern Thailand. This An easy and interesting change from the regular marine and coastal routine of the islands, which of course has its own huge advantages, but the opportunity to get to know a little more about slightly different aspects of life on the famous Thai island, can be exciting and fascinating for those interested in a varied trip to Koh Samui.
